Spring cultural events: April – May
Free Entry to King Henry’s Walk Adventure Playground
Monday 30 – 10 April, 10.30am – 1.30pm and 2.30pm – 5.30pm each day (Closed on Bank Holidays)
11 King Henry’s Walk, Islington N14NX
This Easter, children and young people can dive into a world of real adventure, freedom, and creativity. From building dens and climbing high structures to lighting fires, cooking outdoors, and getting hands-on with tools, every day offers something new.
There’s space to run, explore, take risks, and make their own games with friends old and new. Whether it’s crafting, sports, messy play, or simply chilling out in a quiet corner, children shape their own experience.
Supported by skilled playworkers, they gain confidence, resilience, and independence, without even realising it.
Fresh air, open space, and endless possibilities mean no two days are ever the same. It’s a place where imaginations run wild, friendships grow stronger, and children truly feel like it’s theirs. Once they arrive, they won’t want to leave, and you’ll see the difference in their smiles.
Free offer for Islington residents. Find out more.
Seacole Sessions Family Activity: Lavender Playdough with the Museum of the Order of St John
Tuesday 31 March and Wednesday 1 April, 11am – 2.30pm
Museum of the Order of St John, St John’s Gate, 26 St John’s Lane London EC1M 4DA
Ward: Clerkenwell
Stir, squish, and shape your own lavender playdough to take home and enjoy a soothing storytime from 12:30-13:30.
Seacole Sessions are sensory friendly events for families. They are designed to support autistic and neurodiverse families and are suitable for people who would benefit from visiting the museum when it is less crowded and noisy.
Spaces for these activities are limited and free tickets must be booked in advance. All those who sign up will be sent a visual story via email.
Free for everyone, aimed families with children with SEN, aimed at 3-1 year olds but babies and siblings are welcome. Find out more and book!
Instagram: @museumstjohn
Drop-In Free Family Activity: Lavender Playdough with the Museum of the Order of St John
Wednesday 1 April, 11am – 2.30pm
Museum of the Order of St John, St John’s Gate 26 St John’s Lane London EC1M 4DA
Stir, squish, and shape your own lavender playdough to take home and enjoy a soothing storytime from 12:30-13:30. Includes a chance to meet our St John Ambulance Cadets! Free for everyone, aimed at families with children aged 3-10 (but welcome babies and siblings). Find out more and book!
Spring Sale and Exhbition at Artbox London
March 19th to 23rd April 2026
Thursdays from 12 – 5.30pm
Friday April 17th and 24th April from 12 – 5.30pm
Late Night Viewing: 15th April from 6-8pm. Viewing by appointment available outside these hours.
Artbox, 167 Whitecross Street EC1Y 8JT
Join us for our Spring Sale – our last show at our Whitecross Street Gallery.
Don’t miss this chance to discover and buy artwork created by all of our artists, with original pieces starting from just £20. Explore a range of work across different mediums and styles and find something unique to take home, while supporting our artists and their creative practice. This exhibition also marks 15 years of Artbox London. Since 2011, Artbox has supported learning disabled and autistic artists to develop their creative voices and share their work with wider audiences. Our time at Whitecross Street – a space we’ve used since July 2024 – has been a wonderful chapter, hosting six exhibitions and welcoming many visitors to experience our artists’ work.
The programme at Whitecross Street has been made possible thanks to the support of Arts Council England, The Goldsmiths’ Foundation, Islington Giving, and the generosity of the building’s current owner.
Free for everyone, find out more
Instagram: @artboxlondon.org
Mini Marvels: Early Years Sensory Play at Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art
Wednesday 8 April, 10.00 – 11.00am
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, 39A Canonbury Square, London N1 2AN
Explore the Estorick Collection with our interactive and sensory play space designed for families with young children.
The families’ area, located in the temporary exhibition galleries, includes a wealth of sensory and creative resources that will captivate and delight children under 5.
Mini Marvels now include a new space especially designed for children and adults who need a quieter museum experience. The area, located in a separate gallery, will feature dimmed lighting and a reduced capacity, allowing you to explore the Collection at your own pace, while engaging with objects and materials designed to activate your morning.
Free for children accompanied by a paying adult. Advanced booking is required.
Life Drawing at the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art
Monday 20 April 2026, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, 39A Canonbury Square, London N1 2AN
Join us for an untutored life drawing session with a professional life model. Whether a beginner or experienced practitioner, join a friendly community of art lovers and nurture your creativity in our life drawing sessions. We can provide drawing boards and a selection of basic drawing materials. You are more than welcome to take your kit with you. Please note: only dry materials are allowed in the galleries.
Family Art Day: Discover, Play and Share at Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art
Sunday 26 April 2026, 10.00 – 12.00
Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, 39A Canonbury Square, London N1 2AN
Explore the whimsical world of Alessandro Mendini, one of Italy’s most creative and influential designers and architects!
These family-friendly activity will invite you to discover his innovative art through hands-on experiences, creative challenges, and interactive explorations. From fusing art and everyday life to transforming images with colour, families will engage with Mendini’s unique vision and unlock the power of visual language together. Join us for an unforgettable journey where art sparks conversation and creativity!
Family Arts Days now include a new space especially designed for children and adults who need a quieter museum experience. The area, located in a separate gallery, will feature dimmed lighting and a reduced capacity, allowing you to explore the Collection at your own pace, while engaging with objects and materials designed to activate your morning.
Free for children accompanied by a paying adult. Advanced booking is required.
LSO St Luke’s Open Morning
Saturday 9 May, 10am – 12.30pm
LSO St Luke’s, 161 Old Street, EC1V 9NG
LSO St Luke’s is the London Symphony Orchestra’s venue and the home of LSO Discovery, our music education and community programme. We’ve been welcoming audiences, participants and performers through our doors for over 20 years, and we’d love to show you around at our free open morning, showcasing just some of the activities that take place in our venue.
Young people and under-5s can take part in creative activities run by LSO animateurs and London Museum Docklands – and everyone can get involved in a ‘Come and Sing’ workshop hosted by Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir.
Soak up the sounds of music performances by talented young instrumentalists and the Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir, who will be singing songs that showcase a variety of gospel styles, from traditional spirituals to contemporary songs.
Members of the LSO team will be on-hand, and we’ll be serving light refreshments throughout the morning.
Free for everyone. Find out more
Picture credit: Tim Crocker
More Things to do
- Yinka Ilori: Chairman
- The power of place: how where you live shapes your health
- Upcoming shows at Islington Assembly Hall
- Black History Month 2026
- Free cycling sessions for kids and teens during half term
- London Cycling Festival
- Autumn cultural events
- Celebrate Black History Month at Islington libraries
- Green Libraries Week
- Animals! A beastly history of human behaviour
- East Asian Culture for Wellbeing
- Big City Bug Hunt
- Exam results support and next steps
- The Talking Drum: Voices from the Andover Estate
- Dementia Information Fair
- Summer support – activities and resources
- Islington Boot Fair
- Read to the Beat
- Islington Sustainability Fair 2026
- Love Parks Weeks 2026
- Cally Festival 2026
- Refugee Week at Islington Libraries
- Free cycling sessions for kids and teens this half term
- Pride month in Islington: events and activities
- Learning Disability Week 2026
- Celebrating carers in Islington
- Free writing workshops
- Summer cultural events: July – September
- Summer workshops for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants
- May half term crafts
- The Mix
- Islington Grow Show 2026
- Amwell 200
- National Trust’s Sky Gardening Challenge: free workshops
- Islington Mind’s action for mental health community event
- Spring into nature at Islington Ecology Centre
- Whittington Park Community Centre Makers Market
- The Big Day Out 2026
- Spring cultural events: April – May
- Autism and learning disabilities information event
- Youth safety events: Easter
- Family Easter trail
- London Canal Museum community open day
- The Alternative Bookfair
- Barnsbury’s first ever Book Festival
- Black owned business markets: 7-8 March
- Bookstart Storytime at your local Islington Library!
- Sports coaching opportunity
- Make the most of half-term in Islington: 16- 20 Feb
- The Minds Together Café: Feb – Dec
- Help shape the future of family support in Islington!
- Free London Repair Week events
- National year of reading: February half term activities
- Cycling lessons for kids and teens during half term
- LGBTQ+ History Month: February
- Free art workshops
- Storytelling week: 2-9 February
- Mencap Me Time programme: Jan – April
- Adult swimming lessons
- Toy donation
- Gadget support
- Community gardening: autumn
- Mildmay library reopening celebration
- Finsbury winter warmers
- Winter cultural things to do: Jan – March
- Learn green skills
- Black Cultural Centre’s new art exhibition opens: ‘She Speaks’
- Cycling lessons for kids and teens
- Autumn cultural things to do: November / December
- Festive fun at libraries
- Winter Reading Challenge at Islington Libraries
- Museum of Homelessness festive dog show
- Protecting women and girls together
- Free play session for under 5’s
- Glow in the Angel
- Fast friends
- Youth safety events: November
- Stress management for father’s workshop
- Save energy this winter
- Kick Off with a Verse
- Community Gardening at Whittington Park
- Islington menorah-lighting
- Wellbeing walks with The Garden Classroom
- Free repair and reuse events this winter
- Festive events
- Volunteer gardening with The Garden Classroom
- Black History Month 2025
- Celebrating ten years of Islington Bereavement Service
- Olden Community Garden volunteering sessions
- Age UK Islington get-togethers
- Free cycling lessons
- Summer Reading Challenge
- Museum of Homelessness
- Ladies’ football training
- Family narrowboat trips
- Junior parkrun
- Free Friday lunchtime recitals
- Finsbury Park Singers and Finsbury A Capella
- Three ways to… keep kids active
- Free health and history walks
- Islington Square Market
- Best parks for… water fun
- Park cuppa
- Free fitness classes with Healthy Generations
- Over-55s men’s club
- Free accessible sports
- Nag’s Head open-air weekend market
- Nag’s Head indoor market
- Chapel Market
- Islington Farmers’ Market
- Archway Market
- Exmouth Market
- Stroud Green Market
- Camden Passage
- Whitecross Street Market
- Tufnell Park Market
- Five ways to explore Islington on foot
- Islington walking and running routes
- Islington Borough Ladies FC football sessions
- Five things to do in parks
- Community gardening in Cally Park
- Four accessible activities in Islington parks
- Playground equipment for disabled children
- Volunteering in Islington
- Islington Assembly Hall